Buffalo Bills News - August 5, 2001

Bills still not passing the protection test [9:24 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'For the Bills, Saturday's gathering against the Cleveland Browns bared that the running game is making progress and the defense is solid, but the pass protection, which allowed 11 "sacks" (defenders touched but were not allowed to tackle the quarterbacks), needs work. The outcome was a very ambiguous 30-12 Bills loss, but the score was secondary. The primary reason for the scrimmage at Sox Harrison Stadium was evaluation.'

Brown's ejection leaves Bills feeling blue [9:21 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'Brown and Cleveland Browns rookie defensive tackle Gerard Warren were ejected for fighting late in the controlled scrimmage at Edinboro University, and Brown's loss was felt immediately. Brown was replaced by rookie tackle Marques Sullivan and he and lineman Robert Hicks had a difficult time keeping the Browns' defenders away from quarterback Rob Johnson.'

Levy carved greatness with sharp intellect [8:30 AM]Canton Repository reports:
'Perhaps better than any, Marv Levy typifies what a Hall of Famer is. The former head coach of the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs doesn't just break the stereotype of dumb jocks. He shatters it with a set of encyclopedias.'

Levy inducted into Hall [7:32 AM]Chicago Tribune reports:
'"It's been a long trip from the corner of 71st and Stony Island to Canton, Ohio. I wouldn't have missed it for the world. Every step has been a joyous journey accompanied by remarkable companions."'

Warren, Brown ejected after tussle [6:22 AM]Erie Times News reports:
'The melee didn't sit well with the first-year head coaches, Gregg Williams of the Bills and Butch Davis of the Browns. "We need to improve the discipline aspect,'' said Williams, who was an assistant with the Tennessee Titans before replacing Wade Phillips in Buffalo this season.'

Spielman, other former players show respect for Class of 2001 enshrinees [6:12 AM]Canton Repository reports:
'I hold Marv Levy in the highest respect. His consistency as a person ... he is a guy I've not known a long time, but it's felt like I've known him my whole life...He treated his players like professionals, and he knew what to expect from us. In turn, we knew what we would get from him."'

Scrimmage a plus for Browns [6:10 AM]Akron Beacon Journal reports:
'Overall, the Browns were pleased with the way things went -- even though Buffalo's first-team offense opened the scrimmage with a nine-play, 65-yard drive that ended with Shawn Bryson's 1-yard touchdown run.'

Positive vibes start with Couch [6:09 AM]Akron Beacon Journal reports:
'The defense got pushed around pretty good on the opening drive. Davis said the team lacked the necessary tempo -- but it's worth wondering what they expected in a live scrimmage.'

Levy never at loss for words [6:07 AM]Akron Beacon Journal reports:
'He is the master of the one-liner, who while trying to shake his Buffalo Bills out of a 22-game road losing streak posed the question: Why did the Nazis fail to rule the world despite having such a powerful war machine? "Because Hitler couldn't win on the road."'

Browns impress in scrimmage vs. Bills [6:06 AM]Lorain Morning Journal reports:
'The defense sacked Bills quarterbacks 11 times and Tim Couch completed 10 of 14 passes during a full contact scrimmage yesterday before 8,537 fans in Sox Harrison Stadium. Technically, the Browns won 30-12, but the scrimmage was not about keeping score.'

Davis takes advantage of players' strengths [6:05 AM]Lorain Morning Journal reports:
'A fight broke out when Bills tackle Ruben Brown took exception to remarks by cornerback Daylon McCutcheon. Brown weighs 304 pounds, McCutcheon 180. McCutcheon did not back down. He didn't have to. Teammates Keith McKenzie and Gerard Warren jumped into the fray as players from both teams joined in.'

Hall class about grit, not glamour [6:03 AM]Lorain Morning Journal reports:
'He said he'll likely be coming back to Canton in the near future for the enshrinement of three of his former players -- quarterback Jim Kelly, running back Thurman Thomas and defensive end Bruce Smith.'

Bills' offense sent scrambling for answers [5:27 AM]D and C reports:
'Had quarterbacks been live targets in yesterday's scrimmage against the Cleveland Browns -- you know, like they are in real NFL games -- Johnson would have been limping, frowning and his snowy white uniform would have been covered in mud and blood.'

Modest Fisher establishes his case with three sacks [5:25 AM]D and C reports:
'"I think I showed the coaches that I could play a little bit, but none of it really matters, it was just a glorified practice," he said. "Next week it will be a little more live and I have to continue to improve over the next 3-4 weeks to prove they should keep me around on the 53-man roster."'

Henry impresses in scrimmage vs. Browns [5:24 AM]D and C reports:
'"He brought an attitude to the running game the same way the offensive line brought an attitude to the run game," Coach Gregg Williams said. "That is, get up in the hole, get north and south."'

Levy takes place with NFL legends [5:23 AM]D and C reports:
'"Where would you rather be, than right here, right now?" said Polian, the former Bills general manager who hired Levy in 1986. "Marv, there is no place in the world we would rather be than right here, right now with you."'

Levy shines during his finest hour [5:22 AM]D and C reports:
'In 14 1/2 minutes, he hit the high points of an extraordinary 76-year journey and the people who made it possible. To paraphrase Churchill, this may have been Levy's finest hour.'

August 4, 2001

Ex-Bills pay homage to Levy [2:30 PM]North County Times reports:
'"He's a respected leader, kind of a grandfather type, but knows his business. He's very articulate, one of those guys that you want to listen to because he always coming up with a great analogy, great story. I can't say enough about the guy."'

Listen to Marv's induction [11:58 AM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
Buffalo Mayor Anthony Masiello declared Saturday, August 4th Marv Levy Day in the city. Listen in to the enshrinement ceremony (11:30 a.m., ESPN2) as Levy becomes the third Bill to enter the Hall of Fame...

Marv Levy: Hall of Famer [11:57 AM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
Bills coach Marv Levy was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on August 4th, 2001. Levy is the third member of the Bills organization to enter the Hall, and is the winningest coach in team history and is already a member of the Buffalo Bills Wall of Fame...

Sam Cowart Q & A [11:35 AM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
How will you carry over your skills from last year to this year?
A: "This year hopefully I can rebound and have a good of a year this year as I did last year. I hope I can do better...

The Bills take extra protection [11:33 AM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
In light of the recent heat related death of Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Korey Stringer, Head Coach Gregg Williams addressed the media yesterday about what steps he and the Buffalo Bills coaches are taking to help reinsure safety for their players.

Bills vs. Browns Scrimmage [11:32 AM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
Saturday's scrimmage between the Bills and the Browns will be different than a normal NFL game, as according to Bills coach Gregg Williams, each team will get 5 different series of plays starting from their 35-yard line, with 12 plays to try to score a touchdown. Should the 12th play put either team inside their opponents 10-yard line, the offense will get another three chances to put the ball in the end zone.

Davis sees attitude' in Browns [9:55 AM]Cleveland Plain Dealer reports:
'The Browns' defense, which has feasted on two weeks of competition against its own struggling offense, needed to see the likes of Moulds, Peerless Price and 233-pound tailback Shawn Bryson for a quick reality check.'

Bills buck up Browns [9:47 AM]Akron Beacon Journal reports:
'It was just one practice -- not two -- against the Buffalo Bills. But it was good enough for Cleveland Browns coach Butch Davis to say his team gave itself a much-needed shot of confidence.'

Claim to fame [9:20 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'Meanwhile, Buffalo mayor Anthony Masiello announced Friday that today will be "Marv Levy Day" in the City of Buffalo. He will be honored by the city at a later date.'